Sectional telescopic pole



July 1, 1958 c. L. KMBALL SECTIONL TELESCOPIC POLE Filed OCT.. 2. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CLARENCE L. KsMBALL,

/TraR/vEY.

`Fuly 1, 1958 Filed Oct. 2. 1956 C. L. KIMBALL SECTIONAL TELESCOPIC POLE.'

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LARENCE LKMBALL,

ArroRNE-Y United States Patent O SECTIONAL TELESCOPIC POLE Clarence L. Kimball, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Application October 2, 1956, Serial No. 615,426 6 Claims. (Cl. 174-45) This invention relates to tubular pole devices wherein a plurality of tubular sections are assembled in telescopic relation to a desired height in accordance with the particular elevation for the support of service electric lines or the like.

The invention contemplates a hollow pole section that is provided in various lengths and with the several sections being cumulative and telescopic with respect to cach other whereby to form poles of varying heights and with each of the sections having mating relation and of corresponding diameters whereby a pole may be assembled to a required height and whereby the pole will have substantially an identical diameter throughout its major height.

A further and important object of the invention resides in forming the several sections of non-metallic material such as plastic, fibre-glass or similar synthetic materials and that may be conveniently and economically formed or molded to provide a pole structure having characteristics that retard deterioration and that will have a relatively long life and with the several sections forming the pole being assembled or disassembled in a convenient and easy manner.

A further important object of the invention resides in a plastic or fibre-glass pole that is formed in a plurality of telescopic sections and with each section having embedded therein a metallic conductor and with the several sections when assembled having their respective conductors in contacting engagement and whereby a substantially continuous ground conductor is provided throughout the height of the pole.

Heretofore, especially in utility poles, it has been necessary to provide a ground conductor that has been secured to the outside of the pole and whereby the conductor extends from the upper part of the pole to that area that is normally supported in the ground. In the present invention the conductor is Xed and wholly housed Within each unit and whereby the conductor is protected against corrosion or possible damage due to linemen who must climb the pole for various services in connection with power cables, telephone lines or the like that are normally connected at the upper portion of the pole.

The invention further contemplates a novel cap device for the pole and a novel base plug for the lower end of the pole and with the base plug also having contacting engagement with the ground conductor and establishring an effective ground for the device. A further object of the invention resides in novel anchor bolts that span the several sections and with the bolts being constructed and arranged in a manner whereby overlapping ground conductors of each unit will be effectively clamped in overlying relation.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of -ref- ICC erenceL are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a completely assembled pole,

Figure 2 is an enlarged substantially central vertical section through the pole device illustrating the overlapping relation of the ground conductors of each unit,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one unit,v

Figure 4 is a top plan view of one unit,

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of one unit,

Figure 6 is a central vertical section of one unit, similar to that illustrated in Figure 2, but on an enlarged scale,

Figure 7 is a section taken substantially on line 7-7 of Figure 6 and Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 8 8 of Figure 2.

ln the drawings, where for purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the device, the invention comprises a plurality of substantially identical units indicated as a whole by the numeral 5. It is contemplated that the units shall be formed in varying lengths to be assembled in a manner to provide a utility pole having a height corresponding to the conventional wood poles now in use. Each unit, see particularly Figures 3, 4 and 5 comprises a cylindrical hollow body including a lower section 6 and an upper section 7. The upper section '7 is reduced in diameter, as clearly shown and corresponds to the inner diameter of the lower section 6 and whereby the sections are telescopic with respect to each other. Each unit is hollow throughout its length.

' The forming of the sections 6 and 7, provides a shoulder 8 whereby the next adjacent unit will have seating engagement thereon in a flush arrangement. A

As clearly shown, one inner side wall of the upper section 7 has been enlarged as at 9 and molded within this enlargement is one leg section 10 of a metallic conductor. The metallic conductor extends downwardly-in oilset relation as shown at 11 and with its lower leg 12 being partially embedded within the inner side wall of the lower section 6 and with its inner side being fully exposed as shown clearly in Figures 6 and 7. The inner side of the leg 12 is disposed in the same vertical plane as the outer side of the leg 10. The upper section 7 for its full length is externally slotted as at 13, toeX- pose the outer side of the leg 10. Thus, when a lower section is arranged in telescopic relation to an upper section 7, the legs 1() and 12 will have overlying frictional contact, thus establishing a continuous ground conductor throughout the height of the assembled pole. The overlying legs 10 and 12 may be formed on a bevel and whereby the legs may have a wedging contact with each other. The several units are preferably formed of non-metallic material, such as plastic or breglass and with the units being molded in any desirable manner. The slot 13 forms a guide whereby to accurately assemble the several units so that their conductors will be arranged in proper relation with each other. The only exposed portion of the conductor would be in the uppermost unit 5 that constitutes the top of the pole and with its reduced portion 7 being fully exposed. Thus, a pole of desired height is provided that is entirely hollow throughout its length and with the conductors of the units providing a substantially continuous ground conductor for the pole.

Since it is desirable that the units be fiXedly connected together in their telescopic relationship, the several units have been apertured for the passage of connecting bolts that pass transversely through the telescoping sections. lt is also desirable that any selected portion of the unit 5 be capable' of supporting a vbolt that functions not only to bind Ithe sections together, but 'also serves to force the leg portions and 12 into iirm engagement. Each of the units are transversely apertured on one side as at 14 and With the apertures 14 of the sections 6 and 7 being s0 spaced as to be in alignment when the ,sections Vare telescopi'cally arranged. The diametrically Vopposite side of each of the units have been provided with"elongated apertures 15 andV with thev apertures being horizontally arranged.` After the unitsV have been assembled, a bolt 16 is extended through the units, to project slightly beyond Vtheouter circumference of the section 6. The bolt 16 is threaded Vupon its oppositeends as at 17 for the reception of clamping nuts v13. The bolts 16 inwardly from one end is provided with la lateral lug 19 that is adapted to contact an exposed portion of the leg 1t) through a slot' 2l) formed inthe enlargement 9. The purpose in forming the apertures 15 of elongated form is to permit of the insertion of the bolts 16 inwardly and across the assembled units and to provide a clearance for the lug 19. The bolt in its initial insertion is turned to dispose the lug 19 in an opposite direction whereby it 'Slides through the apertures 15 and, after the bolt has passed through the apertures 14, the bolt is rotated to bring the lug 19 into the line of the leg it?. The nuts i3 are then engaged and the bolt tightened, forcing the lug V19 into firm engagement with the exposed portion of the leg V12. It is believed, that one of the bolts is capable of maintaining contact between the legs of the conductor in each assembled unit. The other apertures may be employed for the mounting of cleats or other means whereby the linemen may climb the pole and cleats of the type that may be detachably engaged will probably be employed to a particular elevation above the ground where they 4may be removed to prevent unauthorized climbing of the pole.

The lower end of the pole, embodying the open section 6, is closed by a plug 21 that telescopes within the lower end of the section 6. This plug is also preferably formed of iiberglass or'the like that prevents corrosion or disintegration. The plug 21 is provided with a closure plate 22 whereon is disposed an L-shaped metallic element 23 that overlies and frictionally binds against the lowermost leg 12 of the lowermost unit. The plate 22l is provided with an annular flange 24 that is disposed in abutting relation to the end of the unit 6 to be ush therewith. The member`23 is held in ixed relation to the plate 22 by a bolt 25 and a metallic plate 26 is disposed upon the underside of the plate 22 whereby to provide a continuous ground to the soil in which the pole is supported.

It is contemplated that the units shall be formed in various lengths such as seven feet, fifteen feet and twentyone feet and whereby poles of varying heights may be assembled. The several units may be provided with reinforcing discs 27 that are also formed of fiberglass or the like and these discs are forced into the uppermost and'lowermost sections 7 and 6 to provide added transverse strength tothe units. The cap plate 28 and the plug 21 are also preferablybolted into position by bolts 29. v Conventional cross-arms and other hardware are supported upon the upper extremity of the pole in any desirable manner.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very simple and novel construction of pole has been provided. The several vsections are quickly and easily assembled to a required height in a minimum of time and provides a pole structure that is relatively cheap to manufacture, is exceptionally strong and will have an unusually long life. The pole can ibe easilyrdisassembled or the pole may be added'to as the occasion requires. By forming the units of fiberglass or the like, various color combination may be provided that will blend with the surrounding landscape thus providing not only a very desirable utility pole, but ,one that is not objectional in appearance.

` It'is to be understood that therinvention is not limited I to the precise construction and arrangement of parts but that changes 4are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention and as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tubular pole that comprises a plurality of nonmetallic telescopic sections and with the sections of the pole being of substantially identical diameter for the major height of the pole, a metallic conductor embedded within each of the sections and with the conductors having outwardly and inwardly exposed portions whereby the conductors of adjacent sections have in overlying frictional contact when the sections are in telescoped relation to form a continuous electrical conductor throughout the height of the pole, the conductors lying wholly within the pole against external exposure when the sections are assembled.

2. A tubular pole that comprises a plurality of tubular cylindrical sections each havingone end portion of reduced diameter, the several sections being telescopic with respect to each other, means whereby to limit the telescoping of the sections with respect to each other, each of the sections being molded of non-metallic material, a metallic conductor element molded into each of the sections'and that extends for the full length of the section, the several sections when assembled in telescopic relation to form a pole having their respective conductors in overlying parallel and frictional engagement for establishing a continuous ground conductor for the full height of the pole, a cap for the uppermost section and a plug for the lower end of the lowermost section, the said plug having a metallic conductor that has frictional contact with the lower extremity of the conductor of the lowermost section.

3. A telescopic pole device that comprises a -plurality of substantially identical tubular and cylindrical sections that are assembled in concentric and axial relation to form an elongated pole, each section being molded from a non-metallic material having an upper and lower portion of different diameters and whereby a portion of reduced diameter has telescopic 'engagement within the next adjacent portion of larger diameter, the different diameters forming a stop shoulder that serves to limit the telescoping of the sections, the inner diameter of the 'lower portion `corresponding to the outer diameter of the upper portion, a metallic ground conductor that is molded into each section and that is co-extensive in length with the section, an outermost area of the conductor in the upper portion being exposed for the full length of the upper portion and an innermost area of the conductor `in the lower portion being exposed for the major length of the inner wall of the lower portion, the exposed areas of the conductor being in the same vertical plane, the several sections when in telescopic assembled relation having their respective exposed conductors in overlying frictional engagement, means for bolting the several sections together in assembled relation and means formed on the bolting means for forcing the overlapping conductors in tight bonding relation.

4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein the outer wall of the upper portion is slotted for its full height to expose the conductor and `whereby the slot forms a guide in assembling the sections to dispose the conductors in their overlying relation and to align the several conductors to form a continuous ground for the full height of the pole.

5. The stlucture according to claim 3, wherein the upper end of the assembled pole is covered by a cap having llianges that overlie the reduced portion of the uppermost section, the lower end of the lowermost section of the polebeing closed by a plug that has telescopic engagement into the lowermost section, a metallic conductor carried by the plug that has frictional contacting engagement with the exposed conductor of the lower portion of the4 lowermost section. Y 6. The structure according to claim 3, wherein the inner side Wall of the reduced upper portion is cut away to expose a part of the conductor, the said units provided with diametrically oppositely arranged apertures for the passage of the bolting means, the apertures in each section being in alignment when the sections are assembled, the said bolt having a lug formed thereon that engages the conductor that is exposed through the openings formed by the cutaways and whereby to bind the overlying por- References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gurewitsch et a1. June 5, 1956 

